Windows CE (every now and again abbreviated WinCE) occurs as variation of Microsoft's Windows operating system for minimalistic computers and embedded systems. Windows CE occurs as distinctly different kernel, rather than the "trimmed down" version of desktop Windows. These are supported in Intel x86 and lookalikes, MIPS (see MIPS architecture), ARM family, and Hitachi SuperH processors.

Features
Windows CE is optimized for equipment that keep around minimum storage — the Windows CE kernel will start around under a mb of memory. Gear come typically configured forgoing disk storage, and can be configured as a "closed" rules that doesn't leave prevent user extension (e.g., it may be burned into ROM). Windows CE conforms to the definition of the real-time operating system, with the deterministic interrupt latency. It supports 256 priority levels & will bring for priority inversion. Unsuch as UNIX-like operating systems, a fundamental unit of execution is the thread, providing for simpler, sooner co-occurrent programming (view Thread (computer programming)).

Microsoft has stated that a "CE" is non an designed acronym, but numerous population suppose CE stands for "Consumer Electronics" or even "Compact Edition". A number one version, known in a period of development under the codename "Pegasus", featured a Windows-prefer GUI and a total of Microsoft's popular applications, totally cut down for little storage, memory, & speed of the palmtops of the day.

Since so, Windows CE has evolved into — based on data from Microsoft's documentation — a component-depending, embedded, real-instance operating patterns. These are there is no hanker simply targeted at hand-held computers. Several platforms develop been according to a core Windows CE operating models, including Microsoft's Handheld PC, Pocket PC, Pocket PC 2002, Pocket PC 2003, Pocket PC 2003 SE, Smartphone 2002, Smartphone 2003, & numerous industrial equipment and embedded systems. Versions of Windows CE possibly powered a Sega Dreamcast.

The distinctive feature of Windows CE vis-the-vis more Microsoft operating systems is that big area of it come offered inside source code form. Number one, source code was offered to many marketer, therefore it can adjust it to their devices. So products such as Platform Builder (an integrated environment for Windows CE OS image creation and integration) offered many components inside source code form to the general public. A procedure utilized to build operating technique images by using Platform Builder is typically critized when existence excessively complex & fragile, using unfortunate or even wrong supporting documentation.

Relation to Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, and SmartPhone
Typically Windows CE, Windows Mobile, & Pocket PC are used interchangibly. This practice international relations and security network't completely exact. Windows CE Three.Nought occurs when modular operating patterns that serves as a foundation of many classes of equipment. A select few one modules provide subsets of more components' features (e.g. variable levels of windowing trend lines; DCOM vs COM), others which are reciprocally exclusive (Bitmap or TrueType font support), & others which add extra features to a second component. a single might find a kit (the Platform Builder) which contains all these components & the information by using which to acquire a customised platform. Applications like Pocket Word are not a share of this kit.

Windows Upwardly mobile is better described as a subset of platforms according to Windows CE underpinning. Presently, Pocket PC, SmartPhone, & Personal Media Center come a trey independent platforms under a Windows Free to roam Umbrella. For each one platform uses different components of Windows CE, also when supplemental features & applications suited for their several equipment.

Pocket PC occurs as Microsoft-defined customized platform for general PDthe have, & consists of a Microsoft-defined placed of minimal profiles (Sales person Edition, Premium Edition) of software program & devices that is supported. the system for manufacturing a Pocket PC device come nonindulgent than victims for producing customized Windows CE-depending platform. A shaping characteristics of a pocket pc come a digitiser when the primary Human being Interface Device & its highly personal size.

A SmartPhone platform occurs as feature rich OS & interface for cellular phone french telephone. SmartPhone offers productivity features to business users, like electronic mail, likewise when mutlimedia capabilities for consumers. A SmartPhone interface relies heavy in joystick navigation & PhonePad input. Equipment heading SmartPhone generally did non feature the digitiser. SmartPhone gear closely resemble more cellular french telephone form factors.

Numerous applications written for even the SmartPhone & Pocket PC platforms either own versions for two platforms, or might process using limited functionality in either.

A majors rival to Pocket PC come Palm OS and Symbian OS, featured on similar ARM-based hardware platform.

Competing products
WinCE's major competition is VxWorks, eCos, OSE, QNX, Symbian OS, Linux deriatives such as uClinux and, most notably, PalmOS. A select few device manufacturers handcraft their have models.

Uses for older Windows CE devices
A select few population keep around utilized their older Windows CE equipment, like 5.Two.11 & Two.Cypher to produce the web server. It develop possibly installed NetBSD to their Windows CE devices. CEHTTP is one of the virtually all popular web server software download for Windows CE hardware, & is comparatively stable.

More populatiin could have A Core Pocket Media Streaming video player (erst called BetaPlayer), which is available free of charge, to look at MPEG, AVI, MPEG4 & MP3 on their old machines.

There exists likewise the Python environment ported for Handheld PC equipment.